Regional AM Suzy Davies has urged Welsh Government to follow counterparts in England and make the teaching of first aid compulsory in Welsh schools.

Welsh Conservative Mrs Davies has been campaigning for years for this to happen in Wales. In a debate last year, she won cross party support from all sides for this to be included in the new curriculum.

Suzy said: “Education Secretary Kirsty Williams has the power to add this into the curriculum but has done nothing. Wales could have become the first UK nation of lifesavers but we have missed that boat.

“Let us not in Wales be seen to be lagging behind England on this. It’s a no-brainer to teach children basic life saving and first aid skills. They will take these skills forward with them throughout their lives and this move could result in many lives being saved over the years across Wales.

“I sincerely hope that the reason nothing is happening in Wales on this is not to do with any ideological objections to picking up an idea suggested by a Tory. To deny children these skills purely because it has been suggested by a Conservative and is now being introduced in England by a Conservative administration would be quite indefensible. Let’s stop messing around and get this put onto the curriculum. It’s not rocket science – it’s first aid.”